Method and apparatus for a mine protection vehicle system

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses an improved mine resistant ambush protected vehicle. The apparatus of the present invention features the use of a plurality of armored pods positioned on an armored frame. These pods are large enough to accommodate one crew member each and are spaced far enough apart from each other to allow the energy impulse and overpressure created from an IED attack to pass in between the pods. These armored pods also provide an improved method of defense against RPG attacks for if one pod is hit by a RPG, the other pods have a high probability of surviving that attack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a vehicle equipped with protection against the effect of a land mine explosion. In particular, the present invention relates to an armored wheeled vehicle for generally protecting personnel against the effect of explosions of mines located in or on the ground and against the effect of explosions of RPGs.

2. Prior Art

Vehicles and their passengers traveling in war zones have to endure improvised explosive devices (IEDs) attacks. IEDs are being placed on roadways, within the roadways, and in potholes in the roadways. When a vehicle crosses over them, they are being detonated. They have been responsible for hundreds of American casualties. The military vehicles must be hardened with armor but remain functional. They must be able to carry personnel and gear, while also not being encumbered with a great deal of additional heavy or bulky features.

According to some sources, fifty-four countries have produced more than 340 models of antipersonnel landmines. They cost as little as $3 to produce and are relatively easy to deploy. They can be laid anywhere, including roads, paths, fields, buildings, waterways, bridges, forests, and deserts. By contrast, it costs between $300 and $1,000 to locate and destroy a single mine, typically a very complex and time-consuming task.

Landmines can remain active more than 50 years after they are buried in the ground. For this reason, there is a growing worldwide effort to rid the world of landmines.

IED's are capable of causing death or serious injury by their:

-   1) Energy impulse; -   2) Acceleration from overpressure which is the pressure resulting     from the blast wave of an explosion. It is referred to as “positive”     when it exceeds atmospheric pressure and “negative” during the     passage of the wave when resulting pressures are less than     atmospheric pressure; and -   3) Fragmentation and debris.

The first two forces cause a large number of head, neck, lower leg, and spinal injuries, and are separate from the injuries suffered from shrapnel and debris penetrating the undercarriage and sides of the vehicle.

Also, some experts have stated the rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attacks have been responsible for 50% of the USA troop casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mine resistant ambush protected vehicles have been developed to provide a safer means of transportation through war zones. An average MPAR weighs 40,000 pounds. Also, a lighter all terrain vehicle version of an MRAP has been developed and it weighs roughly 30,000 pounds.

U.S. Patent Application 20080173167 covers a Vehicular Based Mine Blast Energy Mitigation Structure. According to the abstract, “A blast energy mitigation structure may employ a V-shaped hull to decrease the pressure wave imparted to a vehicle during a blast event, and/or an energy absorbing structure to absorb a portion of the blast force, thereby minimizing the forces and accelerations experienced by passengers in the vehicle and consequently reducing their injuries and increasing their survivability during a blast event. An exemplary blast energy mitigation structure may have a V-shaped hull and an energy absorbing structure incorporated into the chassis of a vehicle such as a Tactical Wheeled Vehicle, the energy absorbing structure comprising a truss-like structure including I-beams.”

The Oshkosh M-ATV is an MRAP vehicle developed by the Oshkosh Corporation of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is designed to provide the same levels of protection as the larger and heavier previous MRAPs but with improved mobility and it is intended to replace M1114 HMMWVs. The V-shaped Plasan armored hull offers protection for the occupants from IED attacks while the centrally inflated run-flat tires allow the M-ATV to travel at least 30 miles at 30 mph even if two tires lose pressure.

Navistar Defense of Warrenville, Ill., manufactures the MaxxPro Dash DXM which is a lighter, smaller and more mobile variant of the MaxxPro MRAP family. It incorporates a V-shaped hull to deflect the IED blast away from the vehicle.

According to Force Protection Inc. of Ladson, South Carolina, their Buffalo Mine Protected Clearance Vehicle (MPCV) is the recognized leader in route clearance missions around the globe and is currently in service with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France and Italy. It uses sloped angle performance to mitigate the blast from an IED. Slopping armor was first used by Russia during World War II in their T-34 tank and it has been often credited as the most effective, efficient and influential design of that war.

A disadvantage of sloped armor and the V—shaped hull is that it is old technology and the blast from an IED can overturn a vehicle equipped with this type of protection.

U.S. Patent Application 20050257679 covers a mine protection vehicle system comprised of building blocks. According to the abstract, “. . . the vehicle has a three-sectioned vehicle construction that includes a front building block, a main building block and rear building block. The building blocks are separable from one another. The main building block may be designed to be slanted toward the bottom and double walled. A cabin, serving to provide a crew space, is hung up on a support structure of the main building block. Wheel axles and drives are built into the front and/or rear building block; however, no wheel axle is disposed below the main building block.” A disadvantage of this type of vehicle construction is that the cabin, which provides a crew space, is not divided into separate areas. Therefore, an IED blast underneath the cabin can incapacitate the entire crew.

U.S. Patent Application 20110148147 covers a MRAP with a chimney. According to its abstract, “A vehicle includes one or more structural vent channels for blast energy and gas and debris dissipation. The structural enclosure of a vehicle includes a hull floor and encloses or defines a compartment for crew, cargo, or crew and cargo. The channel provides a passage through, around, or through and around the vehicle, by which blast energy and debris can be dissipated from explosions beneath the vehicle.” This chimney may help decrease acceleration from overpressure. A disadvantage of a MRAP with a chimney is that the chimney does not mitigate a bomb's energy impulse, which still hits the vehicle's underbody.

In addition, accidents on any highway in the USA can result in serious or fatal injuries. There were over 32,000 deaths on USA highways in 2010. Modern automobiles are equipped with seat belts, airbags and other safety means yet these fatalities continue to occur. Military vehicles are not immune to highway crashes either.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome these and other problems in the prior art, the present invention discloses a system and method for separating the crew members of a MRAP vehicle into their own armored pods.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe means of transportation by separating passengers into their own pods.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe means of transportation through an area where an IED blast could occur by separating the crew members into their own individual armored pods.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe means of transportation through an area where a RPG attack could occur by separating the crew members into their own individual armored pods.

It is an object of the present invention to quickly repair a damaged MRAP vehicle equipped with armored pods by retrofitting it with an undamaged armored pod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following descriptions, figures, and appended claims, wherein like reference numerals refer to like structures across the several figures.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the vehicle product.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the vehicle product.

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the vehicle product.

FIG. 4 shows the vehicle product with passengers.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Armored pod -   2 Armored frame -   3 Armored hatch -   4 Handle -   5 Hinge -   6 Wheel -   7 Armored truck -   8 Tow bar -   9 Crew member -   10 Cell phone antenna -   11 Cell phone antenna jack -   12 Axel -   13 Seat -   14 Padding -   15 IED -   16 Road

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Preferred Embodiment

This description and the accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments in which the present invention can be practiced, in enough detail to allow those skilled in the art to understand and practice the invention. Other embodiments, including logical, electrical, and mechanical variations, are within the skill of the art. Other advantages and features of the invention not explicitly described will also appear to those in the art. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the appended claims, and not by the specific embodiments described below.

One component of the vehicle is the frame 2. Connected to the frame are the individual pods 1. The frame 2 and the pods 1 are armored. The pods contain enough room for at least one crew member 9. The pods can be lines with padding 14 and a seat 13 can be provided. The pods 1 should be spaced far enough apart and high enough off the road 16 to allow the energy impulse and overpressure created from an IED 15 attack to pass in between the pods 1.

An armored hatch 3 provides easy entrance inside the pod 1 and exit from the pod 1. A handle 4 and hinge 5 is used to open and close the hatch 3. Padding 14 may be provided inside the pod for the comfort of the crew member 9. A seat 13 may also be provided. To allow for easy communication among the crew members 9, a cell phone antenna 10 may be mounted on the outside of the armored pod 1. A cell phone antenna jack 11 is located inside the pod 1.

The frame 2 is connected to the axel 12. The axel 12 is connected to the wheels 6. A tow bar 8 is connected to the frame 2 and the tow bar 8 is connected to the armored truck 7.

Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

The crew members 9 enter the pods 1 through the armored hatch 3. The armored truck 7 is attached to the tow bar 8. If the armored truck 7 and pods 1 encounter an IED 15 attack, the energy impulse and overpressure can pass in between the pods 1. Also, if an RPG hits one of the pods 1, the remaining pods 1 have a good chance of survival. After an attack, the damaged pod 1 can be retrofitted with a new pod 1.

Additional Embodiments

The pods 1 can be made to pivot at the connection to the frame 2. This can be accomplished by using a universal joint or a hinged joint, or the like, at point where the pod 1 connects to the frame 2. The joint will permit the armored pod 1 to pivot if an IED 15 explodes underneath it or in the vicinity of it. This pivoting action may help to absorb some of the energy of the IED 15 shock wave.

The pods 1 and frame 2 can be designed so that if an attack occurs, the vehicle product can quickly be retrofitted with a new pod 1.

The pods 1 can be designed to have multiple hatches 3. This may be necessary since an IED attack may not be fatal but may weld a hatch 3 closed.

The pods 1 can be designed to be lined with a fire retardant layer to keep the crew member cool during a blast.

The vehicle product can be designed so that the frame has a mount for a platform or an accessory.

The vehicle product may also be used on the highways of the United States. It would help protect the occupants of the pods since they would have a greater degree of protection when compared to the occupants of a passenger car, minivan, SUV or bus.

CONCLUSION

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application of these principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below. 

1. A vehicle product with protection against the effects of an impact or blast, comprising: (a) a plurality of individual pods with an outer surface, (b) said pods being large enough to accommodate a crew member, (c) said pods are attached to a frame, (d) said pods each having a hatch for entry and exit, (d) said frame is attached to a plurality of axels.
 2. The vehicle product of claim 1, wherein the pods are capable of being replaced when the pod is damaged.
 3. The vehicle product of claim 1 further comprising at least two pods.
 4. The vehicle product of claim 1 further comprising at least three pods.
 5. The vehicle product of claim 1 further comprising a means for armoring the pods and frame.
 6. The vehicle product of claim 1, wherein the pods are positioned on the frame so the outer surface of a pod is separated from the outer surface of a nearest pod by at least the largest horizontal dimension of any pod.
 7. The vehicle product of claim 1, wherein the pods are air conditioned.
 8. The vehicle product of claim 1 further comprising means for communicating between the crew members of the pods.
 9. The vehicle product of claim 1, wherein the pods have a means for securing the crew members in the pods.
 10. The vehicle product of claim 1, wherein the pods have an armored cone shaped bottom.
 11. The vehicle product of claim 1, wherein the pods are lined with an internal padding.
 12. The vehicle product of claim 1, wherein the pods are lined with a fire retardant material.
 13. The vehicle product of claim 1 further comprising a means for providing rotation of the pod around its connection to the frame.
 14. The vehicle product of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of means for entry and exit into and out of the pod by the crew member.
 15. The vehicle product of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a mount for a platform or an accessory.
 16. The vehicle product of claim 1, wherein the pods are arranged on the frame to vent energy and effluent from a blast originating beneath the vehicle through, around, or through and around the pods.
 17. The vehicle product of claim 1 further comprising a vehicle.
 18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the vehicle comprises an armored vehicle.
 19. A method of transporting soldiers safely through enemy territory comprising: (a) placing a soldier into a an armored pod, (b) mounting that pod to a frame, (c) separating an outer surface of the pod from an outer surface of a closest pod by at least the largest horizontal dimension of any of the pods, (d) attaching that frame to plurality of wheeled axels.
 20. A blast energy mitigation system comprising: (a) a plurality of individual pods with an outer surface, (b) said pods being large enough to accommodate a person, (c) said pods are attached to a frame, (d) said pods positioned on the frame so an outer surface of one pod is separated from the outer surface of a nearest pod by at least the largest horizontal dimension of any of the pods, (e) said frame is attached to a plurality of wheel axels. 